Syria Backs Nuclear Iran

The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 1-20-2006 | Patrick Bishop

[blam]

Syria backs a nuclear Iran

By Patrick Bishop in Damascus
(Filed: 20/01/2006)

Syria yesterday backed Iran in its nuclear confrontation with the West as their leaders met in Damascus in a defiant show of solidarity.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Bashar al-Assad

The Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, welcomed Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and said the Iranian leader had the right to acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. In turn, Mr Ahmadinejad asserted his host's right to freedom from foreign interference.

Both men face confontations with the United Nations Security Council. The West is pushing for the International Atomic Energy Agency to refer Teheran to the council over its work on enriching uranium, which Europe and America fear is intended for use in nuclear weapons.

Mr Assad's regime is under intense scrutiny after a UN report implicated senior figures in the assassination last year of the former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri.

The meeting came as Mr Ahmadinejad's government warned the West that the world would face an oil crisis if Iran was referred to the council and sanctions followed. "One of the consequences will be the unleashing of a crisis in the oil sector and particularly a price hike," said Davoud Danesh-Jafari, the oil minister.

[endthematrix]

"Al-Sadr is the kingmaker in today's Iraqi politics."

Oh is that the guy making speeches on the world stage and getting all the MSM limelight? Not. He was, at one time, a big fish in a small pond. That was until the US told him to back-off...and so-far he's played nice.

[Lejes Rimul]

I have a degree in the field.

That said, the entire Shia political leadership in Iraq is playing us for fools. Look who's in power: al-Dawa, SCIRI, Sadrists, Chalabi. These are the people that our troops our fighting and dying for? Iran is just laughing and laughing at our stupidity - we must the first country on Earth to think that the friend of our enemy can be our friend, too. Bush's misguided messianism about the power of democracy flies in the face of everything Reagan and Bush I did to contain Iran.

Anyways, good night. I hope the situation isn't as dire as I'm afraid it is. We'll see.

[SevenMinusOne]

Al-Sadr is the kingmaker in today's Iraqi politics.

Nuff said - You haven't a clue what you are talking about - That is the biggest bunch of rubbish I've seen in quite some time on FR -

What you have no answer to is reality -

[Lejes Rimul]

Read the news. The Sadrists are one of the biggest elements of the Shia Islamist UIA party. Not to mention that as Iran's dark horse he killed American soldiers and got away with it.

[Lejes Rimul]

I'll say it again: The values of freedom and democracy we planted in Iraq have led to the election of Shia Islamists closely allied to Iran. You have no answer to that. In Egypt they led to the election of the Muslim Brotherhood. You have no answer to that. In Gaza they led to the election of Hamas. You have no answer to that.

As for Sadr, feel free to look up how many seats in Parliament the Sadrists have. Feel stupid yet?

[endthematrix]

Granted he's a known player and he talked tough and fought the Marines and lived. That's about it. Will he be in politics? Yes, if he survives. Will he become the great mouthpiece for Iran and chant "death to Americans and Jews?" Nope. Ping me if he does...then I'll ping you two days later when he's dead.

[Treader]

In your view, by the scenario you have described- what should the US do now?

[SevenMinusOne]

The values of freedom and self-worth have been in Iraq for less then 2 full years and you are already whining that those values haven't achieved enough yet - That there is "no answer" for who these people are willingly electing. Buzz off -

That they haven't elected all the right "people" yet (hell we elected Bill Clinton to office and we've been at this democracy thing for about 200 years! At that point).

You have no answer to reality as I have said. The progress that has been made in Iraq in less then 2 years is utterly amazing. Iraq will be an ally of ours for decades to come. As will Stan.

You are on the wrong side of history. It is that simple. You haven't a clue to what you are talking other then to complain and make up silly suggestions that al-Sadr (nothing but a thug) is actually "in control" of Iraq.

If you had ever stepped foot in Iraq you would know how utterly silly your comments are.

[Lejes Rimul]

Lol you're just posting a bunch of rhetorical sophistry. I point out how the new Middle Eastern democracies are electing terrorists and Islamists to office and you make a joke about Bill Clinton. Get real.

Oh, by the way, look up how many seats Sadrists have in Parliament yet?

[Schwaeky]

I'm sure the bookies are already all over this...

Give me 2-1 on Iran being bombed by March 15th (when they start selling oil for euros instead of dollars)...

[fragrant abuse]

Ah...interesting.

Remember reading about the Euro-denominated oil bourse a while ago. Is that for definite? Got a link for that story?

[Schwaeky]

werewolves???

What do the kids resistance in Red Dawn have to do with the present Iraqi insurgency, or postwar German/Japanese resistance....

[Lejes Rimul]

Bunch of diehard Nazis, tried to resist the Allied occupation. Google it. They were more of a joke than anything else, but some neo-cons like to make the faulty analogy that the Werewolves in Germany were the same as the Sunni insurgents in Iraq.

[SevenMinusOne]

Iraq's main Shia parties have built alliances throughout Iraq that have completely marginalized al-Sadr to being nothing more then what he is...a street thug. This has been done both politically as well as practically speaking.

al-Sadr himself has went from being against any elections...(to seeing himself being a nothing) to now trying to act as if he is part of the elections. He is nothing more then an al-Sharpton of Iraqi politics.

Again for you to suggest that values of freedom and self-worth spreading throughout the ME is a bad thing.....Well,you are simply wrong. You are on the wrong side of history. And future historians won't be kind to those whom had your mindset.

But go right ahead and keep those blinders on regarding the progress that is being made. True leaders are paving the way and doing the heavy lifting.

What is a joke is that you are complaining about "who" a newly freed Countries people are electing.

[SevenMinusOne]

but some neo-cons like to make the faulty analogy that the Werewolves in Germany were the same as the Sunni insurgents in Iraq.

While some others try and make the intellectually pathetic case that the aftermath of WWII is somehow comparable to the GWOT.

[Lejes Rimul]

Iraq's main Shia parties have built alliances throughout Iraq that have completely marginalized al-Sadr

Citation? Don't worry though, I'm not really expecting one - because you're wrong. The Sadrists are one of the backbones of the UIA.

And since you insist on avoiding discussing it, I'll say it again: The values of freedom and democracy we planted in Iraq have led to the election of Shia Islamists closely allied to Iran. You have no answer to that. In Egypt they led to the election of the Muslim Brotherhood. You have no answer to that. In Gaza they led to the election of Hamas. You have no answer to that.

If a new Saudi regime elected OBL to office, would they be on your "right side of history"?

[Lejes Rimul]

While some others try and make the intellectually pathetic case that the aftermath of WWII is somehow comparable to the GWOT.

Thank you for agreeing with me. We got the aftermath of WWII right. I see that you also feel the two are not comparable at all.

[Treader]

You have presented interesting insights, so, I ask again- What should the US do next?

[Treader]

You have presented interesting insights, so, I ask again- What should the US do next?

[SevenMinusOne]

Thank you for agreeing with me. We got the aftermath of WWII right. I see that you also feel the two are not comparable at all.

We both know I was speaking of the circumstances / realities of both situations / wars. Not only the circumstances of the wars themselves....but the World itself isn't even comparable regarding those two separate time periods.

But it doesn't surprise me that you would try and play word games. Those of your ilk love to live life that way.

We are going in circles here. You simply believe that the values of freedom and self-worth are not a good thing for the ME and will not help stamp out the root causes of what we are facing.

I on the other hand believe completely in these values and see them as our strongest allies in this GWOT. Far greater allies then any of our Coalition partners in the long run.

Stay safe from your whining armchair general seat. Thank God the true leaders are in charge.